Franklin celebrates peace

Gathering around the latest installation of a Peace Pole in the city of Franklin, members of the Fine Arts Council and Gardener's Association joined the Rotary in celebrating the International Day of Peace by dedicating the new colorful monument at the Franklin Fire Department.

The event was part of the Internationl Day of Peace or World Peace Day, a recognition created by the United Nation's General Assembly in 1981 to strengthen the ideals of peace throughout the world. 

Zachary Covington, who it the Franklin Rotary's Peace Builder chairperson, said the event coincided with the giving of several copies of the children's novel by Todd Parr titled "The Peace Book," to all the area schools and children centers in the county.

At this small dedication, Covington spoke passionately about the possibility of achieving peace throughout the world and how it, like many things, starts at home.

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"We should consider what ways we can bring attention to our mission of service, and making our world...Franklin...a better place." he said.
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"Perhaps it begins with a toddler sitting down to read “The Peace Book” with their parents, learning that:
-Peace is making new friends
-Peace is keeping the water clean for the fish
-Peace is helping your neighbor
-Peace is growing a garden
-Peace is giving a hug
​(or perhaps my favorite thing, he added)
-Peace is taking a nap
Perhaps it begins with someone passing by this peace pole, or the one in the park, and having a calm, introspective moment to themself thinking,"

He then quoted the words on the peace poll, “Peace to alL. Make it. Live it. Share it. Spread it.” T​hey then released 21 doves from Bill and Cheri Baker.

Baker talked about the symbol of peace the dove represents and read a framed poem that he wrote for the occasion and presented to Covington.

"May peace prevail on earth the day,
and hatred and hostility go by the way.
White Doves send our message high above,
with white wings singing a song of love.
As the birds dance from cloud to cloud,
their symbol of peace makes us proud.
They soar higher with heaven near,
far away from earthly fears.
So today the woolgathers on this day peace,
with a common prayer that war will cease."

”​Covington continued "Perhaps someone today will see these doves take flight, and a calming spirit will fall upon them. Peace can mean so many things when we make it personal. Peace is possible," he said.

"I would challenge each of us to leave here today with some idea of how we might be a simple, unifying force with a spirit to engage others in making the world a better place.”